Montrealer Stephen Beaupré treated us to his Experience 1, the first night of MUTEK outdoors with Return, the title of a finely crafted live set featuring micro-house, sophisticated samples, and hypnotic rhythms.
Drawing inspiration from new tracks from his latest album Vanishing Night, as well as exclusive unreleased tracks from an upcoming project, he performed exclusively original compositions for the first edition of the free series, presented at L’Esplanade Tranquille.
The local micro-house pioneer took to the stage wearing a small keffiyeh tied around his neck as a tie. Bathed in pink and red light, Beaupré turned up the heat with funky bass lines, which he seamlessly blended with ethereal, dreamy vocals that intensified as night fell on the Quartier des Spectacles. In the same vein, the crowd grew louder as the sun set over the Esplanade Tranquille. Thrilling!
Although Beaupré’s sound conveys a certain nostalgia, this pillar of the underground scene brought together young dance music fans and MUTEK veterans. Longtime festival-goers embraced their old friends, creating a sense of intimacy among the crowd. One of the most memorable moments of the evening came when the vocal loop of “Free, Free Palestine” rang out, layered over a powerful drumbeat. The chant echoed across the square, reflecting the unity of the dance floor, as attendees responded to this powerful—albeit modest—show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
